Massage device.



J. E. GIBBS.

MASSAGE DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED 0015, 1912.

1,071,998. Patented Sept. 2, 1913.

WITNESSES ATTORN EY 73 INVENTOR, V

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES EDWIN GIBBS, OF COVINGTON, KENTUCKY, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF T0 THOMAS HUSTON ARMSTRONG, OF COVINGTON, KENTUCKY.

MASSAGE DEVICE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 2, 1913.

Application filed October 5, 1912. Serial No. 724,145.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JAMES E. Gnxns, a citizen of the United States, residing at Covington, in the county of Kenton and State of Kentucky, have invented a new and useful Massage Device, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to devicesused 1n the operation of massaging the human body, and the primary object is to provide a device that will apply rapid intermittent pressure to any part of the body, thereby producing the same results obtained by the direct application of the finger tips of professional masseurs.

The present invention is designed to take the place of the hand massaging which is often beyond the reach of the average person who may need such treatment; and the object is to provide a mechanical appliance that is simple in construction, easy to operate, cheap to manufacture, and that Wlll during its operation, simulate the effect of the tips of the fingers of the masseur.

Vith these and other objects in view, the invention consists in the construction and novel combination of parts hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawing and pointed out in the claim hereto appended; it being understood that various changes in the form, proportion, size and minor details of construction, within the scope of the appended claim, may be resorted to without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

In the drawing, in which similar reference numerals designate the same parts throughout the several figures, Figure 1 is a view in elevation of my improved device. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view thereof, and, Fig. 3 is a central section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

In the preferred embodiment of my invention, as shown in the drawing, the reference numeral 1 indicates a U-shaped flatmetal or like yoke member having its terminals 2 perforated for the reception of screws 3 which constitute pivots for a roller 4, of any appropriate size and preferably, though not necessarily, formed of wood. Intermediate of the main portion of the U- shaped yoke member 1, there is secured an elongated manipulating handle 5 through the medium of the bolt 6 which passes through a perforation 7 in the main portion of said yoke member and is securely clamped thereto by the nut 8 which may be loosened and the handle 5 readily removed to render the device useful where the handle would be in the way.

The roller or cylinder 4 is provided at its ends with metallic caps 9 having inwardly turned flanges 10 forced upon the ends of the roller 4 to protect the same from wear and to prevent it from swelling or splitting. \Vashcrs 11 are preferably interposed between the terminal members 2 of the yoke 1 and the metallic caps 9 to insure the free rolling movement of the cylinder 4.

Arranged around the periphery of the roller or cylinder 4 at proper intervals and in radial relation to the axis thereof are plugs or fingers 12, preferably of wood, which are secured in bores or recesses 13 by glue or by any other means. These plugs or fingers carry on their outer ends resilient rubber tips 14 which are secured thereto by means of metallic tacks 15 the heads of which are embedded within the rubber tips 14 to avoid their contact with the skin of the person being operated upon during the use of the device. These plugs are made of a size approximating the size of the human finger tips, and the rubber caps completely cover their outer or active ends to prevent the contact of the wooden fingers with the skin and they are of a length to permit the {)Olll to freely revolve within the yoke mem- \Vhile the plugs 12 together with their resilient tips 14 are shown in the drawing, in diametrical relation, it will readily be seen that if the device is made on a larger scale such relation will be changed. That is to say if, as shown in Fig. 3, a greater number of rows of plugs or presser fingers 12 are provided they will be arranged at less than 45 around the periphery of the roller and at the same time may be so arranged that more than one and two fingers may be provided side by side in each alternate row, as shown.

It will thus be seen that in the application of the above described massaging device to the body of a patient, the fingers 12 with their soft rubber tips 14 are so placed that in the revolution of the roller 4, they simulate, both as to size and relative position, the tips of the fingers of the human hand while Furthermore the hand: massaging-rdevice,

of the'present invention isso constructed that a, personmay treat, himself Without any trouble or undueetfort for he is-enabled to;

reach; any and all parts of the bodytolmas sage the same, as the handle may be made, of any desired length.

What is claimed is Adejvice of the class described, compris- 5 ing a yoke member, anoperating handle 0011-,

Games of'this patent may beobtained-for fivecents each; by addressing: the. :Gommissi'onen'of Patents,

nected thereto, a cylindrical roller axially Woodenplugs" rigidly mounted in the roller, and rubber tips provided With metallic tackshaving their heads embedded in the tips, said tips being secured to said plugs by said tacks and having their outer faces fiat andv their corners; rounded and fmaintaining the cylindrical shape of the plugs.

In testimony, that I claim. the. foregoing as my OWIl, I have hereto afiixed my signa tHIFQlIl: the presence of two Witnesses.

. JAMES' EDWI N GIBBSi Vllitnesses: Y

W. G. RYERsoN, .11; R; WHEELERa Washing-120ml). 62. 

